Writer's Block

Before reading about Rose's case study on students dealing with writer's block, I had never really thought much about it.  I definitely understood what he was saying about how the strict rules that were instilled in the students stifled their writing process and felt guilty for often teaching some of these rules.  I've definitely told students, "If you want to succeed in this professors class, you need to do A, B, and C".  There are many professors who give no room to play and explore.  I never realized how much this can hinder the students.  I understand that these rules are put in place to help students who lack cohesion and structure in their writing, but we do need to be more flexible with them. 

I've always been able to play with those rules because I feel pretty confident as a writer, but this confidence comes solely from feedback.  I've had professors that love to hear what I have to say and provide numerous accolades; in their classes I thrive on taking chances, and writer's block never sets in. However, there have been professor's that make me feel like what I have to say is irrelevant, and in those classes, I really struggle with getting started.  My perfectionism doesnt allow me to not do the assignments or to turn them in late, but my self esteem is usually hanging in the balance awaiting my professor's response.  In this sense, I think I would be the most like Sylvia who's blocking is mostly emotional. 

It seems that Rose was able to remedy the students who blocked mostly through cognitive difficulties by interviewing the students to create a writer's profile and offering flexible alternatives to the "rules".  But I worry about the students like Sylvia where the blocking is much harder to resolve.  How can we as teachers avoid creating further emotional distress?  This is what I think:

1. Give them options for writing prompts
2. Limit evaluations that address every little mistake
3. provide positive feedback
4. provide CONSTRUCTIVE criticism
5. Create a comfortable classroom environment where students can feel that their ideas matter
6. Provide time for exploration via freewriting
7. Give opportunities for revision 

Anyone think of any others?